Seal for cased wells



April 4, 1951 R. R. THOMPSON 2,550,027

SEAL FOR CASED WELLS Filed Feb. 24, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet l v I5 1 I6 H A l I3 I4 1 2! 9 i y I8 I i 5 4/ r 22 i z 3mnentor ROBERT R. THOMPSON W/EFM'W Gttorue Patented Apr. 24, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SEAL FGR CASED WELLS Robert R. Thompson, Marshall, M0.

Application February 24, 1948, Serial N 0. 10,522

11 Claims. 1

My invention relates to well seals, and more particularly to -a seal for a cased well, such as a Water well.

One of the purposes of my invention is to provide a fluid tight seal between a well casing and a fluid conduit, such as a water conduit, that is mounted within the casing and in spaced relation to the casing, as is customary in water wells and similar wells that are provided with metallic casings. In wells of this character the casing may extend to or-slightly above the ground level and before the seal is applied has an open end, into which the fluid conduit extends. While means have been provided previously for closing thespace between the upper end of the well casing and the conduit within the same, none of the means previously provided have been successful in preventing entrance of water and other matter into the interior of the casing. Anything that enters the interior of the casing will pass into thewater standing therein, from which the water is drawnthat passes through the fluid conduit,

andwill contaminate it. Accordingly it is high-' ly important to provide a fluid tight seal between the upper end of the well casing and thetubular fluid conduit within the same so as to maintain a water supply that is not contaminated by any surface water or other matter that might enter through the top of the casing. My improved sealing means provides an absolutely fluid tight seal between the upper end of the casing and the tubular conduit within the same so as to prevent any entrance of contaminating material to the well-within the casing.

It is another important purpose of my invention to provide such a tight seal between the well casing and the tubular conduit within the same that air will not even enter into the space between the casing and the well tubing or similar fluid conduit so that a pressure below atmospheric will develop in the casing upon pumping operations being carried out, which will tend to raise the water level to such an extent that a greater flow of water can be obtained than would be true if sucha reduction in pressure were not developed.

It is a further purpose of my invention to provide a well seal that prevents any upward move,- ment of the fluid conduit in the well, there being a tendency in some wells for this to take place because of the fact that the pump is on the bottom end of the fluid conduit and the pump has a tendency to rise in the body of water in the well. By my improved well sealing means the seal .is fixed to the casing :so that no upward movement of the seal relative to the casing will take place and the fluid conduit is secured to the sealing means in such a manner that it .will beheld from upward movement relative to the sealing means, thus preventing any upward movement of the pump. or any other parts con-- nected to said conduit.

My invention is applicable to wells. that are provided with either a single fluid conduit or .a pair of such conduits, such. .as used with jet type pumps, the principle of operation of my sealing means being the same nomatter whether one or more fluidconduits .are provided inside the wellcasing.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will appear as the description of the drawings proceeds. I desire to have it understood, however, that .I vdo notintendto. limit myself to the particular details shown or described, except as defined in the claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view through .the upper end portion of a well casing and showing fra m n ary portions of a fluid conduit mounted within said casing and extending upwardly therefrom shaf ns. my impr ve sealing me n applied thereto.

Tue 2 is a view p rtly in topv planand partly in section, taken on the lineZ-Z of Fig. .1,

Fig.3 is-aview similar to F'ig. 1 of a; modifica tion, and

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. lof a further modification.

Referring in detail to the drawings, my im-.

proved well seal is shown as being applied, in Fig. 1, to a well having a tubularmetallic casing 5 within which is mounted centrally a fluid con.- cluit 6, whichmay have any suitable means within the same for operating .a pump, which is not shown,.the pump being understood to be on the lower end of the tubular 'membert so as-to supply liquid from the well through. said pipe or tubing 6. In the application of my improved well sealing means to a Well having such a casing 5,

the upper end of the-Leasing is belled or flared out as shown at I by suitable means. However, prior to such flaring or belling out of the upper end portion of the casing 5, a ring 8- of steel is applied to-the casing, said ring having an opening therein so as to freely receive the casing 5 'belowthe' belled out portion 1 thereof. The ring 8 is provided with a circular seriesof bolt openings 9 therein; and. a steel plate- 10, which is ofa disklike character, as will be-evident from Fig. 2-, is applied to the topedge H of the well casings.

plate 4 welded fluid tight thereto and said plate l and plate 4 are provided with central aligning openings therein, which have internal threads I6. A threaded nipple IT has its external screwthreads engaging the threads 16 so as to secure the nipple fluid tight to the plate-like member ID and plate 4, the plate 4 being provided to increase the length of the screw-threaded connection securing said nipple IT. A pipe coupling 18 connects the nipple I! with the tubular conduit 7 6 and a similar tubular conduit I9 is connected with the nipple I! through a coupling 20 for providing an upward extension of the fluid conduit 19 to any suitable point above the top of the casing 5, to which said liquid may be carried for supplying any suitable apparatus or for storage, said coupling 20 being screwed down tight against the top surface of the reinforcing plate 4.

An annular gasket 2| of compressible material, such as rubber, is mounted between the upwardly and outwardly inclined surface of the bell portion I of the well casing and the downwardly and inwardly inclined surface E2 of the ring-like member 8. It will be obvious that a wedging action will take place between the inclined surface l2 of the ring-like member 8 and the bell portion 1 of the well casing, and between said inclined surface I2 and the inner face of the plate-like member and compress the gasket into the shape shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings so as to completely seal the space between the plate-like member ID, the flared or bell end 7 of the casing 5 and the ring 8 when the nuts l5 are tightened up on the bolts l4.

Inasmuch as the plate-like member ID will thus be sealed in fluid tight relation to the well casing 5 and the threaded connections between the members 10, ll, I8 and 6 will also provide a fluid tight connection between the fluid conduit 6 and the plate-like member ID, a fluid tight seal will be provided between the upper end of the casing and the tubing or fluid conduit within the same, this seal being so complete that when pumping takes place within the well to pass liquid upwardly through the conduit 6, the pressure in the space 22 between the casing 5 and the conduit 6 will be reduced below atmospheric pressure, which will have a tendency to cause the casing 22 to fill to a higher level with water than would otherwise be the case, thus increasing the rate of flow of a well that is sealed in this manner. Also, no matter how near the ground level or surface the upper end of the casing 5 may be, no polluted water or other undesirable contaminated material will enter a well that is provided with a seal of this character.

In Fig. 3 a slight modification of my invention is shown, in which the casing 5 is flared in the same manner as previously described and has the same compressible annular sealing member provided between the ring-like member 8, which is made in the same manner as previously described, and a plate-like member [0, which is the same as the plate-like member l0, except that the central opening 23 therein has apipe couplingl l e x.

4 tending therethrough and welded in position therein, the internal weld being indicated by the numeral 25 and the external weld by the numeral 26. The other parts of the seal being the same as previously described, have the same reference numerals applied thereto as in Figs. 1 and 2, and the sealin means for providing the fluid tight seal between the upper belled end of the casing 5 and the ring-like member 8 and the disk-like plate Ill operates in precisely the same manner as above described. However, the fluid conduit 6 is connected directly with the coupling 24 and the upwardly extending fluid conduit i9 is similarly directly connected with the coupling 24.

In assembling either of the above described well seals, the ring 8 and the annular gasket 2| are placed in position'before the well casing is flared out, as indicated at I in bothFigs. 1 and 3.

Then the 'fluid conduit or tubing 6 within the well is connected with the plate-like member Ill either through the nipple H and coupling [8, or by means of the coupling 24, after which the bolts M are inserted in the aligning openings in the members Ill or Ill, as the case maybe, and the ring 8, and the nuts l5 applied to draw the ring 8 toward the plate-like member Ii] or NJ to com-,

press the annular gasket 2|.- While the annular gasket 2| is, preferably, of a somewhat triangular shape in cross section before being compressed, if made of suitable compressible material, the exact cross sectional shape is not so important, because under the high pressure exerted by the multiplicity of bolts used and the wedging action of the surface l2 and the outer inclined face of the bell portion 1, the gasket 2| will assume a shape such as to completely flll the space between the two wedging surfaces and the adjacent undersurface of the plate-like closure member, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

While the seal is shown in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, as being applied to a well that has a single pipe or fluid conduit within the same, either form of the invention above illustrated can be provided with plate-like members having more than one opening therein for a plurality of fluid conduits, should this be found desirable. Such an arrangement is illustrated in Fig. 4, in which the ring-like member 8 is the same as previously described and is applied to the casing 5 having the flared or belled out portion I in the same manner as previously described, the same reference numerals being applied to these parts as in the other forms of the invention. However, the plate-like member I0" is provided with a pluralityof openings instead of a single opening, two openings being shown. This plate-like member is clamped to the ring 8 to compress the gasket 2i in the same manner as previously described, by means of the bolts l4 and nuts I 5,

which pass through the aligning openings 9 and 7 l3. The plate-like member i0 is provided with a pair of openings 21 therein that have the fluid conduits 28 connected therewith in liquid tight relation, this being shown in Fig. 4 as being accomplished by providing couplings 29 that are aee oa'r for example, where a .jet type of pump is utilized for pumping the water fr'om the well.

In all forms of the invention the same advantages exist in connection with the seal, that is, that the space 22 will have a reduction of pressure below atmospheric develop therein as the pump operates, to thus increase the flow of water into said space within the casing 5, thus increasing the flow of the well. Also, no matter whether one or more fluid conduits are provided in the casing so as to extend within the same and upwardly above the upper end thereof, an absolutely fluid tight seal is provided between the open upper end of the casing 5 and such conduit or conduits.

It will be noted that the plates H], l6" and H)" are, preferably, made of a heavy gauge steel so as to have suiflcient strength to support the fluid conduits that are secured thereto and anyappa-.

ratus that may be connected with said fluid c0ndu'its within the casing 5, and that said platelike members are firmly supportedon the upper end edge of the casing. .It will further be noted that in case there is any upward force acting on the tubular member or members within the easing this will be transferred through the plate-like member 19, I0 or ID" to the ring 8, which is also made of heavy gauge steel, and from said ring to the flared or belled out portion l of the casing, thus preventing any upward movement of said fluid conduits relative to the casing 5. Furthermore, due to the fact that the ring-like member 8 of the disk-like members In, ii! and l 0" are made of steel plate, a very great amount of the pressure can be exerted on the gasket member 2| by means of the bolts I 4 and nuts l5, being only limited by the possibility of the stripping of the threads on the bolts or nuts, which will not.

occur in practice because of the fact that a large number of said bolts and nuts are utilized for securing the parts in position.

What I claim is:

1. The combination with a well casing and a fluid conduit extending within said casing in spaced relation thereto, of means providing a liquid tight seal between the upper end of said casing and said conduit comprising a plate-like member engaging said end of said casing, a ring surroundingsaid casing in spaced relation to said plate-like member, a sealing gasket of compressible material mounted between said ring and platelike member and engaging said casing, clamping means engaging said ring and plate-like member to compress said gasket between said casing, plate-like member and ring, said plate-like member having an opening therein, and means mounted in said opening and extending therethrough, said means having a liquid tight connection with said plate-like member and said conduit to provide a liquid tight connection between said plate-like member and said conduit.

2. The combination with a well casing and a fluid conduit extending within said casing in spaced relation thereto, of means providing a liquid tight seal between the upper end of said casing and said conduit comprising a plate-like member engaging said end of said casing, a ring surrounding said casing in spaced relation to said plate-like member, said casing member having an annular abutment provided thereon adjacent said end, an annular gasket of compressible material mounted between said ring and plate-like member and engaging said abutment, clamping means engaging said ring and platelike member to compress said gasket between casing and said conduit comprising a plate-like member engaging said end of said casing, a ring surrounding said casing in spaced relation to said plate-like member, said casing being flared at said end to form an annularabutment thereon, a sealing gasket of compressible material mounted between said ring and plate-like member and engaging said flared portion of said casing,

clamping means engaging said ring and platelike member to compress said gasket between said abutment, plate-like member and ring, said plate-like member having an opening therein, and means mounted in said opening and extending therethrough, said means having a liquid tight connection with said plate-like member and said conduit to provide a liquid tight connection between said plate-like member and said conduit.

4. The combination with a well casing and a fluid conduit extending within said casing in spaced relation thereto, of means providing a liquid tight seal between the upper end of said casing and said conduit comprising a plate-like member engaging said end of said casing, a ring surrounding said casing in spaced relation to said plate-like member, a sealing gasket of compressible material mounted between said ring and plate-like member and engaging said casing, clamping means engaging said ring and plate-like member to compress said gasket between said casing, plate-like member and ring, said plate-like member having an opening therein, and a tubular threaded member mounted in said opening in fluid tight relation to said platelike member, said fluid conduit being detachably connected thereto.

5. The combination with a well casing and a fluid conduit extending within said casing in spaced relation thereto, of means providing a liquid tight seal between the upper end of said casing and said conduit comprising a plate-like member engaging said end of said casing, a ring surrounding said casing in spaced relation to said plate-like member having an annular wedging face thereon, an annular sealing gasket of compressible material mounted between said annular wedging face and plate-like member and engaging said casing, clamping means engaging said ring and plate-like member to compress said gasket between said annular wedging face, said plate-like member and said casing, said platelike member having an opening therein, and means mounted in said opening and extending therethrough, said means having a liquid tight connection with said plate-like member and said conduit to provide a liquid tight connection between said plate-like member and said conduit.

6. A well seal comprisinga disk-like member having an opening therein, a tubular threaded membe mounted in said opening in fluid tight relation to said disk-like member, said tubular member having threaded portions extending beyond the opposite faces of said disk-like member, a ring having an inclined annular inner suraco oar face thereon, an annular compressible gasket mounted between said inclined annular surface and a face of said disk-like member and clamping means engaging said ring and disk-like member to secure said ring to said disk-like member and compress said gasket between said disk-like member and inclined surface.

7. A well seal comprising a disk-like member having a central opening therein, a tubular threaded member mounted in said opening in fluid tight relation to said disk-like member, said tubular member having threaded portions extending beyond the opposite faces of said disklike member, a flat ring having an inclined ann-ular inner surface thereon, an annular compressible gasket mounted between said inclined annular surface and a face of said disk-like member and clamping means engaging said ring and disk-like member to secure said ring to said disk like member and compress said gasket between said disk-like member and inclined surface.

8. A well seal comprising a disk-like member having a pair of openings therein, a tubular threaded member mounted in each of said openings in fluid tight relation to said disk-like member, said tubular members having threaded portions extending beyond the opposite faces of said disk-like member, a ring having an inclined annular inner surface thereon, an annular compressible gasket mounted between said inclined annular surface and a face of said disk-like member and clamping means engaging said ring and disk-like member to secure said ring to said disklike member and compress said gasket between said disk-like member and inclined surface.

9. A well seal comprising a disk-like'member having a threaded opening therein, a tubular member mounted in said opening, said tubular member having external threads thereon engaging the threads in said opening and extending to the opposite ends thereof, said threaded ends extending beyond the opposite faces of said disklike member, a ring having an inclined annular inner surface thereon, an annular compressible gasket mounted between said inclined annular surface and a face of said disk-like member and clamping means'engaging aid ring and disklike member to secure said ring to said disk-like member and compress said gasket between said disk-like member and inclined surface.

10. A well seal comprising a disk-like member having an opening therein; a tubular member welded in said opening in fluid tig-ht relation to said disk-like member, said tubular member having internally threaded portions extending be-. yond the opposite faces of said disk-like member, a ring having an inclined annular inner surface thereon, an annular compressible gasket mounted between said inclined annular surface and a face of said disk-like member and clamping means engaging said ring and disk-like member to secure said ring to said disk-like member and compress said gasket between said disk-like member and inclined surface.

11. The combination with a well casing and a fluid conduit extending within said casing .in spaced relation thereto, of means providinga liquid tight seal between the upper end of said casing and said conduit comprising a plate-like member engaging said end of said casing, a ring surrounding said casing in spaced relation to said plate-like member, said ring having an annular wedging face thereon and said casing being flared at said end, an annular sealing gasket of compressible material mounted between said wedging face and plate-like members and engaging said flared portion of said casing, clamping means engaging said ring and plate-like member to compress said annular gasket between said wedging face, said plate-like member and flared portion, said plate-like member having an opening therein, and a tubularmember mounted in said opening in fluid tight relation to said plate-like member and extending beyond both faces of said plate-like member, the portion of said tubular member extending below said plate-like member being threaded for connecting said fluid conduit thereto.

ROBERT R. THOMPSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

